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Phosphorus nutrition of ectomycorrhizal Gnetum africanum plantlets from Cameroon

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Abstract

Aims

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of mycorrhization on the growth and P uptake of Gnetum africanum rooted cuttings at low and high inorganic phosphorus availability.

Methods

Gnetum rooted cuttings were grown in a peat/sand 50:50 mix to enable the development of fine roots. Nutrient evaluation was carried out in sand/peat 10:1 mix (NIL), mix amended with 30 mg/kg P (I), mix amended with 300 mg/kg P (II).

Results

Generally ectomycorrhizal plants showed better growth than non-mycorrhizal plants. The number of new EM tips formed decreased with an increase in P level. Ectomycorrhization led to an increase in shoot dry weight, number of leaves and shoot elongation. Ectomycorrhization of Gnetum also resulted to increased access to added P whilst the effect on N uptake was greatest when P was added.

Conclusions

The results showed that Gnetum responds positively to mycorrhization and that the response may not be solely attributed to increased uptake of nutrients including P and N. From this observation it is certain that in the domestication of Gnetum, mycorrhization alone would not be enough but that a combination of mycorrhization and nutrient addition would be necessary for the successful establishment and growth of the plant.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to appreciate financial support received from the British government through the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme. We thank Prof. Roger Leakey for providing Gnetum stock plants. We also recognise the contributions and comments from the anonymous reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon

    Eneke Esoeyang Tambe Bechem

  2. Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, AB24 3UU, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

    Ian James Alexander

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  1. Eneke Esoeyang Tambe Bechem
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  2. Ian James Alexander
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Correspondence to Eneke Esoeyang Tambe Bechem.

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Responsible Editor: Thom W. Kuyper.

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Bechem, E.E.T., Alexander, I.J. Phosphorus nutrition of ectomycorrhizal Gnetum africanum plantlets from Cameroon. Plant Soil 353, 379–393 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1038-x

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